FM-101 rendering valuable services in post-quake scenario
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—On 25th of July 2002 when President of Pakistan Gen Pervez Musharraf inaugurated the FM-101 Radio Islamabad, nobody knew that it would become the most powerful radio channel of modern age. Most of the masses expected that Radio FM-101 would be an entertainment channel but we saw a new face of FM-101 at October 8th tragedy. Radio FM-101 Islamabad has in fact become the most informative medium in recent earthquake activities.
Nobody could say that one day this Radio FM-101 would become the most prestigious medium in electronic media. Radio FM-101 Islamabad initiated live marathon coverage form AJK and Margalla Towers Islamabad.
Radio FM-101 Islamabad played a very vital and effective role in boosting the morale and spirit of the nation. Although some FM radio channels kept broadcasting their normal programmes but the credit goes to Mr.Abdul Waheed Sheikh; Executive Producer of FM-101, who handled the FM-101 media team and monitored all the things after the 8th October 2005 earthquake that killed more than 80000 people and stands in history as one of the biggest disasters.
It is mentioned here that in-charge of earthquake transmission, producer Miss Sadaf Rani showed her professional skill in this regard. She visited quake-effectees along with her team comprising DJ Shazy (Shahzaib Malik), etc, presenting updated reports linked live form helicopter for more than one week. "I'll never forget this experience but thanks to Almighty Allah who gave us courage", said Shazy.
DJ Sohail Mehmood visited all the hospitals and medical camps of twin cities and talked with almost all the patients. Another young DJ; Ali Hussain stayed at Muzzaffarabad, Bagh and formed area for live courage. These gestures of the team are bound to stay in the minds of FM-101 listerners.
DJ Miss Sonia and DJ, Miss Salma, DJ became famous among the kids. DJ Salman and FM-101 team put smiles on little babies through their activities, especially on Eid day when the FM-101 team spent all three days and arranged variety progammes for kids who were injured in the earthquake. This is the first time in history of FM radio channels that live coverage was linked from studio and several times aired from helicopters by Executive Producer; Abdul Waheed Sheikh and other professionals. The said individual worked for Radio-106 California, USA in late 90's.
"This is not my first experience, once when I was in California and working for USA FM channel 106, there was a huge fire between two cities and most areas including forests were under heavy fire. But the current quake disaster was more fatal than Tsunami." Mr Waheed Sheikh hoped that the helping spirit would continue till the reconstruction and rehabilitation precess while further adding that on studio's end, Ahmed Bilal, Nasir Khan and others were ever busy in appealing for blood donations, traffic plans, rescue and relief activities. He thanked the Pakistan Army officers and 'Jawans' for their extraordinary rescue and relief work in the quake-hit areas, often in the hectic conditions.